Amazon Hosts Inaugural Girls’ Tech Day in Victoria
Amazon Web Services, in partnership with Wyndham Tech School and Victoria University, successfully hosted the first Girls’ Tech Day in Victoria, a global education initiative aimed at encouraging girls and young women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The event, held at Wyndham Tech School on Victoria University’s Werribee Campus, drew up to 500 students from primary and secondary schools across Melbourne’s western suburbs.
During the event, participants engaged in various interactive workshops and hands-on activities focused on robotics, music production, and autonomous vehicles. They also learned about diverse tech careers through the experiences shared by female industry leaders. One such leader was Nea Dhillon, Victoria University’s Director of AI Technology and Delivery, who emphasized the importance of curiosity, collaboration, and courage in STEM fields. “I’m thrilled to be invited to participate in a day dedicated to encouraging girls to pursue a STEM career,” Ms. Dhillon said. “My advice to the students was to strive towards three key attributes – curiosity, collaboration, and courage. Don’t put yourself in a box, ask for help, and be resilient.”
Michelle Hardie, Head of Professional Services, ANZ, Amazon Web Services, highlighted the event’s goal of inspiring and empowering the next generation of young women leaders to drive positive change and innovation. “Providing girls with opportunities to explore STEM fields is crucial for building their confidence to pursue a diverse range of careers and fostering diversity and inclusivity within the tech industry,” she explained.
The event featured interactive exhibitors, including Amazon Robotics, Ableton, AWS DeepRacer, Amazon Music, and frank body, showcasing the application of technology in various industries. This exposure is crucial as Girls’ Tech Day aims to address the digital skills gap in Australia and demonstrate that girls belong in technology careers.
Girls’ Tech Day is now in its fifth year and has impacted over 14,000 young women worldwide, with Melbourne being the 18th city to host the event. The success of this initiative aligns with the upcoming opening of Brimbank Tech School at Victoria University’s Sunshine campus in Term 3, 2026, as part of the Victorian Government’s $116 million investment in Tech Schools and a Clean Energy Equipment Fund.
Victorian Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, Ben Carroll, emphasized the government’s commitment to encouraging women and girls in STEM, stating, “We know women and girls are too often underrepresented in STEM subjects – as a result, their confidence to pursue these subjects further can be diminished.” The initiative directly supports this goal by providing girls with role models and practical experiences in tech-related fields.
